In Hungarian tradition, which is surprisingly like the Mexican one, families take food to the cemetery. They clean the graves, leave flowers and food for the ancestors. They light candles on the graves. And they may also give "Beggers" who are outside the gates some of the bread or cake they brought with them. It makes practical sense that the beggers should eat, for food can only be 'eaten' by the spirits who are in the next world.
May I suggest that a way for Hungarian-Americans to continue this tradition is to donate to a food bank?
Though I'm no longer volunteering at meal or food bank - distribution sites, I've made some inquiries about how it's going at a local food bank. I'm told that as the cost of living has gotten out of control, the contributions are way down, especially of the fresh produce, and so they are giving out more dry goods - pasta, rice, and so on, and even the canned goods tend to be potato and corn. I can tell you that too much of these foods is not a healthy diet and the cause of weight gain and even problems with sugar. These carbs must be balanced with proteins and vegetables. I know that I myself sometimes make too much of a meal with them.
However, I realized long ago that the things that are given out - and sometimes that includes non-food items such as soap and shampoo and toothpaste - are still appreciated. If a person goes to a foodbank before their money runs out, they may be able to spend on the items that they do not receive at no charge.
Most food banks cannot accept your home baked goods, even though the same baked goods could be given to a church bazaar or event. This is because of health department rules that aim to prevent food illnesses and also because of the rare but terrible events in which evil people intend to harm others through things they bake in or put in foods. Packaged and store bought items rather than home baked items are even required for schools. I sure wish we were back in the day with this. As a result, what you donate to a food bank must also be purchased at a store.
Bread is something that is inexpensive for most stores to donate to food banks and so there is usually quite a bit of it given. However, I noticed that my local stores that used to have drastically reduced day-old pastries and breads are also out of these items.
Please consider my suggestion.
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